Ozone Generators......Damaging??

[Guest guest]

IEQuality Group:

I had an individual approach me asking for help with an insurance claim related to ozone generators, and damaged caused by ozone. I opted not to take-on the request, but the topic did stir some interest.

Site information: There was a small kitchen fire in a residential 2-story home. The Fire Dept. put-out the fire rather quickly but there was a significant amount of smoke that migrated upstairs where bedrooms are located. Ozone generators were used to mitigate smoke odors upstairs, and the type of ozone generators used were the consumer models, i.e., those that can be used in occupied areas......that is, until California bans them from being sold here. Also of note, there was a significant amount of article cleaning/washing and surface washing using industrial cleaners/processes. Fast-forward six months and the individual has a claim into their insurance company for personal belongings that are falling apart – mostly clothing and shoes......lots of shoes! The individual claims that the harsh cleaning processes destroyed their personal belongings. The insurance company says it was not the cleaning chemicals/processes, but was the ozone; which the home-owner brought-in to assist in mitigating the smoke odor – not the insurance company.

Question – Does the concentration of ozone used to mitigate smoke odors degrade rubber, leather, latex, polyester, etc? I assume high concentrations of ozone can cause damage, but these consumer models don’t generate high concentrations of ozone. Anyone have any personal experience with ozone generators, the damage they cause to specific materials, and at what concentration?

Curious.....